Licensing
Explore licensing requirements for older drivers in Australia.
Licensing
Last updated: 24/11/2023
Driving rules and regulations for older adults vary across Australia and can change often. Here’s what you need to know:
Health Checks:
- Some states require yearly medical check-ups
- Others need an annual health report
- If you think your health is affecting your driving, talk to your doctor. There are guidelines that list health conditions which might impact your driving.
Reporting Health Issues: In all states, you must tell the driving authority about any conditions that could affect your driving. This helps ensure everyone on the road stays safe.
Keep scrolling to learn more about the rules in your state or territory.
Click on the items below to learn more
Requirements
- If you are 75 or older OR have a medical condition affecting your driving, you will need yearly medical assessments.
- You may also need an occupational therapist assessment and/or a Practical Driving Assessment if requested by your health professional OR Access Canberra.
- Eye tests are required at ages 50, 60, 65, and 70.
Steps
Yearly Medical Assessment
- Book an appointment with your medical practitioner.
- Bring the driver licence medical form to your appointment for your practitioner to complete.
- Submit the completed form within 6 months of renewing your licence online (check the form for submission options).
Eye Test
- Book an Appointment with a GP, optometrist, ophthalmologist, or service centre.
- Bring the eye test form for your health professional to complete.
- Submit the Form within 6 months of renewing your licence online (see eye test form for submission options).
Possible Outcomes of Assessments
Based on your assessment results, your license might be:
- Renewed
- Suspended
- Cancelled
- Modified with conditions (e.g., needing eyewear, driving only during certain times, or periodic medical assessments).
You can appeal any decision about your license by contacting the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Important: Report any new diagnosis that may affect your driving to Access Canberra.
Requirements
Starting at age 70, you might need assessments to keep your license. These could include a medical assessment or an older driver test, depending on your age and license type. Check the NSW government website for details on what you need.
Medical Assessments: If you have a long-term medical condition or a health professional requests it, you might need a medical assessment even if you are not yet 70.
Steps
Medical Assessment:
- Schedule an appointment with your health professional before the due date.
- Get the Form – Your health professional can access the form electronically or you can get a physical copy from a Service NSW centre.
- If you received a letter about the assessment, bring it to your appointment.
- Your health professional will submit the form online or give you a physical copy to take to a Service NSW centre.
Older Diver Test:
- Practise driving with an older driver assessor and review the Road User Handbook and the Older Driver Licensing Guide.
- Book a test at a Service NSW centre by phone, in person, or with an older driver assessor.
- Take the test (15-20 minutes).
- Receive a report with your test results.
Outcomes of Assessments
- If you pass your medical assessment, you keep your license.
- If Transport for NSW finds you unfit to drive, your license might be suspended, cancelled, or have conditions imposed. You can appeal this decision.
- You might need a driving assessment with an occupational therapist (find one here).
Reporting Medical Conditions:
- If you’re diagnosed with a medical condition that affects your driving, you must report it to Transport of NSW by email, phone, or in person at a Service NSW centre.
Failing the Older Driver Test:
- You can retake the test if you are within the timeframe, did not commit a serious error, and have not reached the 3-attempt limit at Service NSW.
- Older driver assessors (external to Service NSW) might allow unlimited attempts.
Modified License for Drivers 85+:
- If you are 85 or older, you can apply for a modified licence to avoid the driver test. This restricts your driving to only essential journeys in your local area.
Requirements
There are no extra licensing requirements based on age. However, you might need a medical assessment if:
- Someone contacts the Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) about your fitness to drive.
- A health professional contacts the MVR, which could lead to a temporary suspension of your license until you complete an assessment.
- You report a new or changing long-term medical condition that affects your driving. You must report this in person at the MVR or by emailing mvr.medical@nt.gov.au.
Steps
Medical Assessment
- Make an appointment with a registered health professional (doctor, optometrist, physiotherapist occupational therapist, or other medical specialist) for a fitness to drive assessment.
- Your health professional will need to complete one of the following:
- Medical Assessment of Fitness to Drive form
- Medical Condition Notification form,
- Summary report with the required information
- Submit the completed form within 3 months either
- In person at a Motor Vehicle Registry
- By email to mvr.medical@nt.gov.au
- By mail to GPO Box 530, Darwin NT 0801
Possible Outcomes of the Assessment
- License Continuation (without changes)
- License Suspension
- Additional information needed: You might need to get a specialist report or undergo a driving assessment with an occupational therapist
- Conditional License: You may be allowed to drive with specific conditions added to your licence.
Requirements
When you turn 75, you must have a completed and current medical certificate with you whenever you drive.
Steps to get a Medical Certificate
- Print the Medical Certificate form or get a copy from a transport and motoring service centre.
- Fill out Part 1.
- Book an appointment with your health professional to complete the rest of the form.
- After your appointment, tear off the medical certificate and keep it with you when you driving.
Possible Outcomes
You can drive for up to 13 months before needing to renew your medical certificate. Some certificates might expire sooner if your healthcare professional requires more frequent checks.
You may need to show your medical certificate to the Department of Transport and Main Roads if:
- You have a new or changed long-term medical condition affecting your driving (notify the department about any new conditions here).
- A health professional suggests changing your license conditions.
- During license renewal.
Your health professional might recommend certain license conditions or restrictions. See the Driving Conditions and Restrictions Information Sheet.
Requirements
Licensing requirements are based on age, license class, and any medical conditions you may have:
- 75 years or Older (Class C License, No Medical Conditions) – Fill out a yearly self-assessment form.
- Medical Conditions (previously reported or need to report) or Other License Classes (Non-Class C License) – Complete a Certificate of Fitness form.
- 85 years or Older (Non-Class C License) or Requested by a health professional – Complete a Practical Driving Assessment along with the self-assessment or Certificate of Fitness form.
Steps
Self-Assessment Form:
- It will be sent to your address close to your birthday
- You can also complete the online form here
Certificate of Fitness:
- It will be sent to your address
- You can also find it online, depending on if you hold a light or heavy licence class
- You must book an appointment with a health professional to fill out the relevant sections
Practical Driving Assessment:
- Click here to see the two ways you can complete this component.
You can email all forms to servicesa@sa.gov.au, drop them off at a Service SA centre, or post them to Service SA, GPO Box 1533, Adelaide SA 5001.
Possible Outcomes
- Service SA will review your forms. If more information is needed, they will contact you.
- If you have submitted a Certificate of Fitness, you can keep driving while the form is being processed, unless your health professional or Service SA have asked you to stop.
- If diagnosed with a new medical condition, you and your health professional must report it to Service SA using the Certificate of Fitness form.
Requirements
No additional licensing requirements for drivers based on age. However, you must report any medical conditions that could affect your driving to the Department of State Growth.
Steps
Report a Medical Condition
- Self Notification form (see the form for submission options) or
- Complete an online medical declaration
Possible Outcomes
After reporting your health condition, you might need to:
- Have a medical assessment with a health professional.
- Get a report from a medical specialist.
- Complete a driving assessment.
- Get a report from an occupational therapist who specialises in driving.
This could lead to:
- Keeping your driver licence.
- Keeping your driver licence but having periodic medical assessments.
- Modifying your licence with conditions (e.g., daytime driving only).
- Modifying your vehicle.
- Suspending your licence.
- Cancelling your licence.
You can appeal any decisions made about your licence (find out more information here).
Requirements
No additional licensing requirements for drivers based on age. However, you must report any medical conditions that could affect your driving to VicRoads. If you or someone else reports such conditions, VicRoads may ask you to undertake a medical review.
Steps
If you have been diagnosed with a medical condition that could affect your driving:
- Make a booking with your medical practitioner.
- Complete the medical report form with your practitioner (physical copy available at VicRoads service centre).
- Send the completed form to VicRoads (check the form for submission options).
Possible Outcomes
VicRoads will review your medical report. Depending on the review, you may:
- Keep your licence.
- Keep your licence but need another medical review later.
- Be asked to complete a driving assessment with an occupational therapist, take a VicRoads medical review driving test, or provide a medical specialist report.
- Have certain conditions added to your licence (e.g., restricted driving times or areas).
- Have your license suspended or cancelled if you are deemed medically unfit to drive.
You can find information on how to appeal decisions on the Fitness to Drive FAQs webpage.
Important: Not reporting a medical condition that affects your driving safety can result in penalties.
Requirements
If you are 80 or older, you must have a medical assessment every year to renew your driver’s license. You may also be asked to take a Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) by a health professional or the Department of Transport.
Steps to Renew Your License
Receive Forms:
- Three months before your license expires, you will the ‘Medical Assessment Certificate Senior Driver’s Licence Renewal Declaration’ (Form M108A) by mail.
- Fill out the applicant details on page 1.
- Complete the patient questionnaire and applicant declaration in the ‘Medical assessment instructions’ (Form M106A).
Medical Appointment:
- Make an appointment with your health professional.
- Bring both forms, any glasses or hearing aids you need, and a list of your medications.
- Your health professional will complete the second page of the Medical Assessment Certificate and submit it to the relevant authority.
If you need a PDA:
- Contact a licensing centre or agent in person or by phone to schedule your PDA.
- To prepare, review “Driving Techniques for Safer Drivers” and ensure your vehicle is roadworthy.
- On the day, arrive at least 10 minutes before your appointment with a form of primary identification.
Possible Outcomes
- If you meet the Department of Transport’s standards, you will receive a new license or renewal notice by mail or electronically.
- If you do not meet the standards, you will get a request for more information, a notification of the outcome, and/or details about your right to appeal.
Reporting Medical Conditions
- If you develop a medical condition or start taking medication that might affect your driving safety, you must report it to the Department of Transport.
- You can report it online, by filling out and sending through the Notification of Driving Impairment form, or by mailing a letter with your details (name, birthdate, contact details), license number, and details about your medical condition (see the Notification of Driving Impairment form for the Department of Transport’s contact details).